World AIDS Day is on 1 December, and this year Tim Loughton MP is asking the people of East Worthing and Shoreham to join in the fight against HIV stigma.
Although HIV treatment and prevention are so much better than they were 30 years ago, public attitudes have not progressed as far or as fast. Stigma remains an unacceptable blight on the lives of people living with HIV. It negatively affects their lives, and can prevent them from accessing treatment. And it can stop people at risk from getting an HIV test.
Unlike many of the products and styles we love to bring back from the 80s and 90s, stigma is something that should be left in the past. HIV stigma is not retro, it’s just wrong.
Tim said:
"I am proud to wear a red ribbon to mark this year's World AIDS Day. I want to send the message that there is no place for HIV stigma in East Worthing and Shoreham.
“Stigma often results from lack of knowledge. I am joining forces with the National AIDS Trust to encourage people in East Worthing and Shoreham to visit www.worldaidsday.org and find out the facts about HIV.
“There are more than 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK. We must do more to prevent stigma from disrupting their lives. Together we can put an end to this senseless prejudice.”
Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of the National AIDS Trust added:
"World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people everywhere to unite in the fight against HIV and to show their support for people living with HIV. I am pleased to see Tim using World AIDS Day to take a stand on HIV stigma.
“Research shows that people living with HIV face as much stigma today as they did in the past, and in places where they should feel respected and safe: at work, in healthcare, and even from their friends and family. It is unacceptable that in the UK we have people living with HIV who enjoy good physical health, but still face serious adversity because of the attitudes around them.”